Alice is up past her bedtime when she hears her father arguing with someone about her. Peeking through the crack in the door she sees that the person he is arguing with is not a person at all, but rather a large, ugly yellow and black fairy. Four days later Alice is orphaned and is informed that she is to go live with her Uncle Jerry. Alice knows she doesn't have an Uncle Jerry, but what can she do other than move to a spooky old mansion with scary servants she can see, mysterious servants she can't, and a gigantic library she is forbidden to enter without an escort.

Written in verse from alternating viewpoints, this book gives the reader many different perspectives on the creation of the Panama Canal over a hundred years ago. We hear from howler monkeys, Theodore Roosevelt, a Cuban immigrant named Mateo, the trees, and many others who played a role in this large undertaking that connected the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

Midnight "Night" Smith is the son of the most infamous Death ever. Because of his father's bad reputation most other young hoodies (Deaths) are not allowed to associate with Night and he also cannot get a sponsor to help him practice for his entrance exams for Death's Academy. After being caught trying to illegally kill a chipmunk by a halo (Guardian Angel) Night ends up grounded. While sneaking out one evening Night accidentally stumbles across evil unicorns and overhears their plan to attack the Death's headquarters, but who will believe the son of a disgraced criminal?

Sam Toop has lived all his life above Constable & Toop. His father builds caskets for Mr. Constable, the mortician. Perhaps his close association with death is the reason Sam is a Talker (someone who can see and hear ghosts). Meanwhile the ghost Lapsewood has worked for many years filling out forms in the bureaucratic monstrosity of the afterlife. Little do they know that Sam's life and Lapsewood's afterlife will be forever changed by a mysterious disappearing of ghosts from haunted houses.

When the mythical Fray returns and destroys the Munrung's village with its terrible winds the entire tribe must make a perilous journey across the Carpet, battling the mouls who are said to control Fray, as they search for a safe new place to live. If you liked the Borrowers or the Littles you will enjoy this book about the microscopic beings that live in the wild jungle beneath your feet. (and it will make you look at your vacuum cleaner differently too.).

On July 17, 1944, an explosion at the Port Chicago naval base in California killed over 300 people and sank two ships. All the men loading bombs and ammunition onto ships were black. All supervising officers were white. Black sailors who had never received proper training in the handling of munitions were afraid and refused to go back to work on the docks. Some gave in under pressure from the navy until only 50 men held fast. They were brought up on charges of mutiny, a charge that could mean the death penalty. Sheinkin has crafted another book that brings history to life. You'll be outraged, but you'll cheer for 50 new heroes in the fight for equal rights.

Eleven-year-old twins, Nick and Tesla, are sent to spend the summer with their comical, mad scientist uncle while their parents are out of the country. Instead of the boring time they expect, they encounter a spooky deserted mansion guarded by ravenous dogs, a mysterious girl at the window holding a "GO AWAY" sign, ill-tempered construction workers, and black van that keeps following them. The twins are science geeks themselves who use everyday objects to build what they need to solve the mystery and survive. Interspersed in the book are great directions for building the gadgets. Have fun!

Eleven-year-old twins, Nick and Tesla, are sent to spend the summer with their comical, mad scientist uncle while their parents are out of the country. Instead of the boring time they expect, they encounter a spooky deserted mansion guarded by ravenous dogs, a mysterious girl at the window holding a "GO AWAY" sign, ill-tempered construction workers, and black van that keeps following them. The twins are science geeks themselves who use everyday objects to build what they need to solve the mystery and survive. Interspersed in the book are great directions for building the gadgets. Have fun!

Pulitzer Prize winning author, Sonia Nazario had adapted her adult book for teens. It's the story of sixteen-year-old Enrique whose mother left her children in Honduras to come to the U.S. 12 years earlier with the promise she would return. When she doesn't, Enrique decides he will go to his mother. The journey is fraught with danger as he rides the tops of trains while hiding from the authorities, thugs, and bandits. Enrique's journeys across Central America and Mexico are a study in determination and the strength of love. His story will give readers a new perspective on illegal immigration and some things to think about. WARNING; Nazario does not gloss over beatings, rapes, maimings, and even murder.

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